Day 6

PLUS: Following Harry documents Harry Belafonte’s relentless fight for social justice The paranoid Canadian novels that tapped into our collective fear of an American invasion How a 1990s CBC Radio satire about Canada declaring war on the U.S. speaks to today Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: The allegations against the Cornell 7 fit a pattern of institutional failure on sexual assault, says sociologist The Chicago White Sox have the Pope’s blessing and a Cinderella story in the making Why Robert Pattinson’s offbeat weirdness makes him this generation’s Nicolas Cage Who is Daniel Robson and how did he dupe Canadian news outlets? Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: What would it mean for teens to be able to opt out of social media algorithms? How fanfiction is influencing mainstream romance Canadian youth take governments to court over climate targets Grammy-nominated artist Neko Case on her new 'Thelma and Louise' musical

PLUS: Nevermind Skynet, for a retro-futuristic view of AI, check out Colossus: The Forbin Project How the rising price of diesel could drive up the price of nearly everything Should I Play It? Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave New novel The Rayburn Affair explores generative AI, creativity and the costs of ambition Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: How pop stars use name changes to reinvent and rebel As Israelis head to the polls, a writer and pollster says the stakes have never been higher How the attacks of 9/11 and the war on terror laid the groundwork for Donald Trump Despite a far-fetched premise, Whalefall offers a chance to better-understand sperm whales Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

PLUS: Why Sony’s push to digital-only video games has sparked a backlash Why university students living in residence get better grades than those living off-campus Tig Notaro’s Oscar-nominated documentary is a life-affirming portrait of a close friend’s death Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: What's Happening with the Neighbours Downstairs? Why is Peter Lorre referenced in so many classic cartoons? A Palestinian humanitarian worker says Israel is erasing the possibility of a Palestinian state Furious has been called a post-Epstein thriller. Should you watch it? Author Sarah Smarsh, celebrates Dolly Parton's working-class feminism Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: New trial data suggest mRNA vaccines could help transform cancer treatment Why are premium vinyl releases from big stars missing finished mixes and whole songs? It’s not your imagination; stolen food really does taste better Andy Richter says his unexpected run on Dancing with the Stars was a joyful gift Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly quiz.

PLUS: Why an information officer in BC kept livestreaming even as he fled a wildfire with his family The cost of Canada's heavy reliance on U.S. tech, and what it would take to change it Where are all the 'bears'? How weight-loss drugs are changing the celebration of big-bodied gay men He was tracked on Flock cameras and surrounded by police – but he hadn’t committed any crime Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

PLUS: Pro-Israel lobby group poured record-breaking amount of money into Michigan's Democratic primary and lost This comedian turned an abandoned New York newsstand into a whimsical pop-up offering puppet shows and rat's foot keychains Miss Piggy is a karate-chopping hog and feminist icon. The woman who created her is proud of that legacy Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: Has AI improved enough to write a bestselling novel? What is the Cockroach Janta Party — the Gen-Z group behind India's mass protest movement? This ethical hacker accessed free tickets to almost every U.S. music festival this summer, thanks to A.I. Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: Why Trump’s tariffs might stick around even after Trump The Trump administration sanctioned ICC judges. A Canadian judge if fighting back The rise of competitive speed-puzzling Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: Two Canadian freighters have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began How much of The Odyssey aligns with real historic events and places? After 50 years, Montrealers are ready to feel nostalgic for the 1976 Olympics Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Passion or politics? History or heritage? Choosing a World Cup Team to back can be fraught. PLUS: Frenchy’s, the beloved Eastern Canadian thrift shop, is now a musical Legally Blonde at 25: How Elle Woods inspired a generation of female lawyers How Charlie Watts helped define rock and roll Remembering Total Eclipse of The Heart singer Bonnie Tyler Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

With many parts of Canada under extreme heat warnings this week, it’s hard not to think about what took place in B.C. five years ago when 619 people died from the heat. Those deaths included Melanie Cheng’s cousin, Beverley. Melanie is now calling for more action to better protect communities in the future. PLUS: Snail mail is back! Why people will pay to receive physical letters An actor who sold his avatar to TikTok speaks out against "predatory" contracts A new musical about the Canadian women who were furniture factory workers by day and championship ball players by night Why Canada's loon is the hot new backup singer

PLUS: Former U.S. soccer player charts a history of sportswashing, from Mussolini to Trump A Manitoba Pride group turned a vandalized billboard into a successful protest campaign Cory Doctorow's new book challenges us to think about AI before it's too late Palestinian architect curates an exhibit based on what his family lost in the Nakba Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

How scientists overcame the challenge of 16 host cities spread across three climatic zones. PLUS: Mechanical AI humanoids may bump human labourers off the line sooner than you think Reviewing Toy Story 5, the latest installment in a beloved 30-year-old franchise What a super-charged El Niño could mean for geopolitics Becky Toyne’s 2026 list of the best summer reads Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Also, Elon Musk is now the world's first trillionaire. PLUS: Why changing teens' relationship with social media requires a culture shift, not a ban How ugly, alienating office spaces became the star of the hit horror movie Backrooms Serena Williams’ return to tennis has sparked a conversation about the use of GLP-1 drugs in sports How unmanned drones could change wildfire season in Canada Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

Emina Kapo is braced for an emotional and bittersweet match between her two countries on June 12, and promises the Bosnian diaspora will party whatever the result. PLUS: What countries can learn from Ukraine's innovative combat style A new documentary explores IKEA's alleged ties to Romania's 'Timber Mafia' Examining the unfolding drama at 60 Minutes The new book from the author of Hamnet is another rich historical fiction, but should you read it? Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

An economist says the price at the pumps has little to do with war or market forces PLUS: One Canadian's story of being captured and detained by Israeli forces on board a Gaza-bound flotilla Why ads for burgers, cars and vacations have disappeared from Amsterdam's streets How comedian Scarlet Chen turned cultural whiplash into comedy gold Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

Why local discussions about data centres are becoming more contentious. PLUS: How fungi thriving in scorched earth could help landscapes recover from wildfires Why strippers in Montreal are taking labour action on one of the busiest weekends of the year Inside the vast scam centres of Southeast Asia -- and the human trafficking schemes that help them run Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Meet the Muppet designer who created Montreal's beloved mascot, Youppi! PLUS: It’s been a huge week for the PWHL. So why are the games so hard to find on TV? Comedian Matt Lieb says Israel’s campaign to win Eurovision speaks volumes about state propaganda It’s not your imagination; stolen food really does taste better American military historian says hubris leads to failed campaigns, from Vietnam to Iran Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: Jessi Cruickshank’s bid to get women back out dancing — and back home in time for a good night’s sleep The latest adaptation of Orwell’s Animal Farm is an animated film with fart jokes Why thousands in the UK want their government to cut ties with tech giant Palantir Why aren't we tallying the environmental cost of war? Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

How Sudan became the world's forgotten conflict. PLUS: The moment Buffalo Sabres fans stepped up to sing the Canadian national anthem More countries look to move off fossil fuels as the Iran war squeezes fuel supplies In his 19th season with the Stratford Festival Tom McCamus brings two iconic characters to the stage Celebrated operatic tenor Russell Thomas reflects on unrequited love as he returns to the COC Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

How a tiny dot on the map came to have an outsized influence on the world. PLUS: The long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic is here. Should you watch it? Pope Francis helped convert a Popemobile into a mobile clinic for Gazan children. A year after his death, it still can't get in Namesake documents a First Nation’s effort to get a B.C. city to address its colonial roots What King Charles can learn from Queen Elizabeth’s visits with 12 U.S. Presidents Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

As we buy more and more things online, companies are using personal data to offer different prices to different people with the goal of finding the maximum price you will pay at that moment. PLUS: What’s behind the Trump administration’s feud with the Pope? The case for putting Mariah Carey in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Can community ownership decommodify real estate? Canadian actor Sugith Varughese's one-man play about how he came to play a doctor 26 times Remembering the Kroftt brothers’ weird, trippy vision for kids TV Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

As the crew of Artemis II readjust to Earth's orbit, two of For All Mankind's creators reflect on the excitement of the moment and the parallels to their hit show. PLUS: Why one writer thinks most journalists are taking too soft an approach to the U.S. president's hard rhetoric. The star of Netflix hit 'XO, Kitty' talks about growing up alongside her character. AI companies want us to believe their systems are making ethical decisions when they're not, reminds a philosopher of technology. Tanya Tagaq's new album takes aim at war, colonialism, and environmental destruction. Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Moon landing conspiracy theories pre-date AI slop by half-a-century. The curator of the Smithsonian's Apollo Collection explains why they endure. PLUS: After five weeks of war, Trump might be further from victory with Iran than when he started A new documentary reveals the harrowing lives of independent Russian journalists in the lead up to the war in Ukraine How countertenor Iestyn Davies uncovered a rare vocal talent and found his calling Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

How AI music threatens CanCon regulations. PLUS: Mass displacement in Lebanon RCMP spying on Indigenous groups Freshwater fish species at risk No Kings protests in Minnesota Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly news quiz.

PLUS: Jared Kushner negotiates with Iran while making billions from Iran’s enemies Amidst tariff fears, the Port of Saint John emerges as a gateway for shipping Canadian goods Pioneering music of overlooked gay porn composers gets new life on Dark Entries Records After 16 years in power, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán faces a challenge to his authoritarian rule Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: The co-writer of KPop Demon Hunters' smash hit Golden The case for nationalized, public AI in Canada NFB documentary My Knitting Circle shows how the craft can create a community Oscar-nominated doc pays tribute to a journalist who spent his life to covering conflict Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

PLUS: Prediction markets spawn allegations of insider trading on global conflicts The strange, confusing history of Daylight Saving Time Generation Gilmore Girls celebrates the enduring appeal of a feel-good TV favourite Ariel Dorfman explains how a Pinochet admirer became Chile’s next president Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: What's happening with the neighbours downstairs? How AI is transforming dating apps Resident Evil marks its 30th anniversary with a new game Inside the lawless world of crypto romance scammers A Ukrainian composer marks four years of war with a suite called Perseverantia Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: The cameras that capture the excitement of Olympic hockey Why Survivor endures after 25 years and 50 seasons That time Jesse Jackson told the kids of Sesame Street they were all somebody Tig Notaro on her Oscar-nominated documentary Come See Me in the Good Light A Canadian proudly lists Palestine as her birthplace on her passport for the first time Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

PLUS: How a tiny, tight-knit community is managing one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history Canadian hockey fans find a warm reception at the Olympics in Italy What’s the endgame as the U.S. tightens the screws on Cuba? Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee returns with a new show Queen of Chess documentary tells the story of the teenage girl who changed chess forever Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Bots get a social media platform of their own and humans get a glimpse of what they'd talk about if left (mostly) unprompted. PLUS: Bad Bunny's very good week Can Quebec be a roadmap for Alberta’s independence movement? What delays in Ottawa mean for pending wrongful conviction cases Crystal Shawanda's challenging road to her latest Juno nomination Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: Trump's actions are fueling a growing campaign to boycott this year's World Cup Why is ICE using neo-Nazi imagery in its recruiting ads? Three reasons history podcasts are having a moment Really Happy Someday captures a trans actor’s journey to rediscover his voice Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

A former U.S. Ambassador says buckle up for the next three years. PLUS: America, What The Hell? Would Trump really use an Alberta referendum to try to take over Canada? A psychologist specializing in narcissism has some thoughts on negotiating with Trump The joy of watching straight dudes react to watching Heated Rivalry What can we expect from Canada's new AI strategy? Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: A day in the life of the ICE crackdown in Minneapolis Lessons from B.C.'s three-year experiment in drug decriminalization The new autistic Barbie isn't everything, but is something to be celebrated says autistic writer The writer, director and star of All That’s Left Of You, a film about three generations of a Palestinian family Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: What's happening with the neighbours downstairs? Greenland’s Long History of Resisting America Canada Post, cocaine, and zero control: It's never been easier to get illegal drugs Jonathan Haidt’s, The Amazing Generation, encourages kids to step away from their screens A former January 6th rioter returns to the capitol to apologize Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

In his forthcoming book The Nerd Reich Gil Duran explains why tech billionaires have soured on democracy, how deeply they are rooted in contemporary politics and what that means for all of us. PLUS: Second City alumni Jayne Eastwood and Robin Duke reflect on 50 years of comedy and friendship Prescriptions for museums, galleries and concerts can tackle illness in ways healthcare providers can't Actor and activist George Takei talks about coming out at age 68 in his new memoir Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

PLUS: Why everyone loved John Candy Documentary, The Eyes of Ghana, explores the lost films that helped inspire Africa’s liberation era An Ojibwe chef is re-writing the rules of fine dining As a radio DJ he helped popularize the song that made the Edmund Fitzgerald a legend

Chef, T.J. Conwi grew up in a household where food was sometimes scarce. So when he began to understand how much perfectly good food gets thrown out by the food industry, he built a social enterprise business to turn it into meals distributed by local charities. PLUS: Why a Chicago-area church turned its nativity scene into an anti-ICE protest Rogers v. Rogers: Meet the writer whose book inspired a one-man play about Canada's telecom empire How Canadian actor Kimberley Sustad built a career with Hallmark Christmas How Inuit throat singing duo PIQSIQ scored a hit with The Last Frontier soundtrack

Ottawa has introduced changes to the criminal code meant to address gendered digital harm. Experts say there's still work to be done. PLUS: Why did Trump pardon a man who helped move 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S.? Andy Richter says his unexpected run on Dancing with the Stars was a joyful gift The Day 6 list of books to gift and love for the holidays Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

A view from Venezuela as tensions climb PLUS: Why Alberta separatists have an outsized influence on politics Meet the intimacy coordinator for the gay romantic hockey drama Heated Rivalry Former child influencer EvanTube reflects on lessons from his very online life Metroid Prime 4 is finally here. Should you play it? Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

A soccer fan explains why it was easier, and possibly cheaper, to travel to the World Cup in Qatar than to get tickets for this year's event in Canada. PLUS: BC struggles with how to care for people with severe mental illness What do we actually know about Shakespeare and his son Hamnet? How Whatever's podcast Dating Talk is radicalizing young men The basketball dynasty that helped shape Haida Gwaii identity Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz

The Nation's Jeet Heer says Epstein built an influential global network fit for a warlord. PLUS: Vine gets a reboot Settler violence threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state The hidden history of a 1969 anti-racism protest in Montreal What happens when men opt out of university and college Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

PLUS: A better way to run a U.N. climate conference; Why pro sports can't quit prop bets; Why more Canadians are facing rising debt and delinquency rates; Crisis or coup at the BBC?; and Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.